Cherie Johnson

Cherie Johnson (born November 21, 1975)[1] is an American actress, writer, film producer, and author. She is known for her roles on Punky Brewster as Punky's best friend Cherie and Family Matters, where she played Laura Winslow's best friend Maxine Johnson for eight seasons (1990–1998).

Cherie Johnson
Johnson in 2010.
Born (1975-11-21) November 21, 1975[1]
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actress
  • writer
  • film producer
  • author
Years active1984–present
Children2

In 2009, she wrote, starred in, and produced the independent film I Do... I Did!, playing Vivian. Johnson has so far produced eight films.[2] In 2010, she made writer debut when she released her book Around The World Twice. In 2011, she released her second, writing, Two Different Walks Of Life A Celebrity and Average Housewife. Her third novel Peaches and Cream is available. Her book Stupid Guys Diary was released in August 2013.

Background and career

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Johnson is of mixed African-American and Puerto Rican heritage. Johnson's beginnings in show business are attributed to her uncle, David W. Duclon,[3] a successful screenwriter and TV producer, who was known for his work on Happy Days in the 1970s. Duclon encouraged his niece's desire to act, and secured her an audition. In 1984, after two seasons as executive producer of NBC's Silver Spoons, Duclon successfully pitched a new pilot to the network about an orphaned young girl who is taken in by a curmudgeonly older man. The concept won the approval of NBC programming chief Brandon Tartikoff, who named the titular character, and series, Punky Brewster (after a girl he had known in his youth). Johnson was cast by NBC in the role of Punky's (Soleil Moon Frye) best friend, the character modeled and named after herself. Punky Brewster was an immediate success among young audiences, and Johnson continued as the fictional Cherie throughout the series' run (1984–86 on NBC, and 1987–88 in first-run syndication).

In 1990, Johnson began playing Maxine "Max" Johnson, the best friend of Laura Winslow (Kellie Shanygne Williams) on Family Matters, appearing in the recurring role until the series' end in 1998. Duclon was again her employer, as he served as one of the executive producers of Family Matters during Johnson's run on the show. In addition to her starring roles, Johnson has made guest appearances on The Parkers, and voiced a guest role on the Disney Channel animated series The Proud Family. She has also appeared on Days of Our Lives. In the early 2000s, Johnson began producing films. In 2009, she wrote, starred in, and produced the film I Do... I Did!. In 2010, she starred in many films Lights Out, Nobody Smiling and Guardian of Eden. She then signed on to appear in the romantic film Fanaddict, which was shot in 2011 and is slated for release later in 2013.

In 2020, NBC confirmed a 10-episode revival of Punky Brewster on its Peacock streaming service. Soleil Moon Frye and Johnson will reprise their roles.[4]

Writer

Her first novel, Around The World Twice, was released August 10, 2010. On April 14, 2011, Johnson also released a poetry book with her I Do...I Did! co-writer, entitled Two Different Walks of Life. Her second novel was Peaches and Cream, and her book of diary entries Stupid Guys Diary was released August 2014 . Little Cherie Dresses Herself, a children's book, was released 2016. Writing has become Johnson's second career choice; she is also the assistant editor of Fever magazine and was formerly the executive director for Dimez magazine, and was contributing writer for Temptation magazine and Glam Couture magazine, where she did a monthly article titled "Cherie Picking". In 2016, she accepted a position at Fever magazine and will be writing the "Pulse" article.

Editor and co-host

Johnson is the assistant editor at Fever. In 2019, she started Cherie's World Podcast. Her notable guests include her cousin Shar Jackson, Raz-B, Dawn Robinson, Chris Haynes, Soleil Moon Frye, DL Hughley, from Family Matters: Darius McCrary, Jaimee Foxworth, Kellie S Williams, and Shawn Harrison.

In February 2020, the Cherie’s World Podcast interview with Big Daddy Kane went viral when Cherie’s co-host asked Big Daddy Kane, "Who is the Kobe Bryant of hip-hop?" Kane’s response was Eminem.[2]

Personal life

Johnson joined Shadow Play Entertainment's literacy campaign, called "Take Time to Read", as the national spokesperson, sharing her thoughts on why reading is so important no matter what career people choose. She has said that her favorite artists are Prince and Dr. Dre.[5] Johnson has also explained that she is a big sports fanatic; her favorite team is the Pittsburgh Steelers, and she is a fan of former NBA player Paul Pierce.[2][5] During an interview, Johnson described herself as somewhat of a nerd and a homebody and that she loves to read, write, paint, eat and travel. She also explained she doesn't watch any TV or many movies, but she loves music and her family.[2] She has also stated she is somewhat of a "Twitter-holic" and is often tweeting.

Johnson spends her free time working with many children's charities, and she is also on the Alzheimer's Association board.[2]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1985 Playing with Fire Eileen Phillips TV movie
Back to Next Saturday Cherie Johnson TV movie
1989 A Little Bit Strange Tasha Masterson TV movie
1999 Teaching Mrs. Tingle Student
2003 Malibooty Lady-Mixed Tape Sign Up Video
2007 Killer Weekend Renee Video
Dead Tone Roxy
2009 I Do... I Did! Vivian
2010 Nobody Smiling Jo
Raven Starla
Lights Out Detective Monroe
2011 Fanaddict Brenda
2012 Guardian of Eden Destiny
One Blood Sandra
2013 Plum Scientist Tara
Crush Emma Video
2014 Behind De Pole Michelle
Who Can I Run To Trisha
Signed, Sealed & Delivered Keisha
2015 Diamond Cobra vs The White Fox Darla Jones TV movie
2016 Diva Diaries Tonya
2017 The Perfect Wife -
The Intruders Bernadette
2020 Saturday School Ms. Michaels

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1984–88 Punky Brewster Cherie Johnson Main cast
1985 Days of Our Lives Latoya Preston Regular Cast
It's Punky Brewster Cherie Johnson (voice) Recurring cast: season 1
1990–98 Family Matters Maxine Johnson Recurring cast
1993 ABC TGIF Maxine Johnson Episode: "Episode dated 8 October 1993"
1996 Goode Behavior Angie Kimberly Episode: "Goode and Fired"
1999–2002 The Parkers Tiffany Recurring cast: season 1, guest: season 3
2005 Eve Angela Episode: "If the Shrew Fits"
2011 The Bay Carlina Hall Episode: "Far from the Bay Part 8"
2013 The Therapist Kristy Episode: "It's Never Work"
2019 A Place Called Hollywood Rosie Main cast
2021 Punky Brewster Cherie Johnson Main cast

Writings
  • 2010: Around the World Twice[2][6]
  • 2011: Two Different Walks of Life: "A Celebrity and Average Housewife"[7]
  • 2012: August 7 novel Peaches & Cream[5]
  • 2013: "Stupid Guys Diary"
  • 2018: "Lil Cherie Dresse's Herself"

Awards and nominations
Year Association Category Title of work Result
1985 Young Artist Awards Best Young Supporting Actress in a Television Series Punky Brewster Nominated
1986 Exceptional Performance by a Young Actress in a Long Running Series: Comedy or Drama Punky Brewster Nominated
1987 Outstanding Young Actor/Actress/Ensemble in Animation Voice-Over It's Punky Brewster Nominated
1993 Best Young Actress Recurring in a Television Series Family Matters Nominated

References
  1. Hollywood - Celebrities - Cherie Johnson Archived 25 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "» Family Matters: The Real Maxine". Archived from the original on August 24, 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
  3. Radloff, Jessica (February 25, 2021). "Cherie Johnson Inspired 'Punky Brewster' More Than You Ever Realized". Glamour. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  4. Otterson, Joe (January 16, 2020). "'Punky Brewster' Sequel Series Ordered at Peacock". Variety.com. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  5. "» Maxine Who? It's Cherie Johnson". Archived from the original on September 4, 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
  6. Johnson, Cherie; Scott, Kathie (August 21, 2010). Around The World Twice (First ed.). Plianfield, NJ: A New Quality Publishing. ISBN 9780982944202.
  7. Johnson, Cherie; Edey, Charrise (April 12, 2011). Two Different Walks Of Life... "A Celebrity & Average Housewife". Cherie Johnson, Charisse Edey.
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